two.

[thraxios]

The number of books available in the library is astounding. If not for the lack of comfortable bedding, I think I should be content to live there permanently.

I've started with books of philosophy; the selection is wide and many of the writers, unknown to me. They do present a curious problem, however, since most of them come from unfamiliar cultures.

A great number expect familiarity with a figure called Jesus Christ, which has stymied me for the moment. From what I've been able to gather, he was the central martyr or pacifist god of a mystery cult (perhaps both?). It seems a remarkably well-traveled one, which makes it all the more intriguing.

Reading with that assumption in mind is enough to make sense of the text. It's clear, however, that a deeper familiarity with the cult's theological tenets is required to fully appreciate the writers' arguments.

If anyone reading this is better acquainted with "Christianity," any recommendations for introductory readings would be appreciated. Its holy texts are rather long, and thus far, they offer little in the way of context.

[And if you're interested in bugging him, Gideon can be found in the library. He's sitting a table stacked high with books and sheets of paper, on which he's taking careful notes with pen and ink. Someday we've gotta introduce this boy to ballpoint pens. Among the open books are an atlas open to a map of the Mediterranean, several books of philosophy, a King James Bible, and his wax tablet (just in case).]

Comments

[heloise]

It is the peak of the world. [ Not arguably. ]

But the Italian states are forever at war with each other. It does not make the most pleasant of homes.

[thraxios]

War can spoil the loveliest of places.

Were you very much affected by it?

[heloise]

I met the French King on his way to conquer Rome. [ And he said she's pretty you know nbd. ]

We drank wine together, then he decided he wanted only to have an audience with my father and left our city intact.

[thraxios]

A stroke of luck.

[He hasn't read enough about Earth to know quite what she's talking of, but the stakes aren't unlike the uneasy relationship between Marathat and its neighbors.]

Your father is of some importance, I take it.

[heloise]

The art of war.

The Holy Father holds the power to crown and uncrown kings, as all rulers are set thus by the grace of God alone.

[thraxios]

I'm afraid you'll have to elucidate me.

[heloise]

Kings derive their power from God and my father is the Lord's vicar on Earth.

[thraxios]

[Gideon has been focusing primarily on the greater theological concepts of Christianity rather than the specifics of hierarchy. This explanation still lacks a piece or two for him--but he can at least verify that what he understands is correct.]

Your father holds a place of power within the faith.

[heloise]

He holds the highest power.

[ Just below god, but even his children should live like gods, so she leaves that unsaid. ]

[thraxios]

[Gideon makes a mental note to do some more research on this subject--he'd like some more information derived from a slightly less biased source.]

Then I am doubly honoured to have met you, Madonna Lucrezia.

[heloise]

Are you? Does my father's position cause you to think better of me?

[thraxios]

No. But you are in a position to know a great deal about the subject we have been discussing.

[heloise]

I should be.

[thraxios]

Perhaps we should return to your Thomas Aquinas.